When the Lord speaks something over me he REALLY speaks something over me. The Lord does not whisper sweet things to me, he SCREAMS them… and last night that moment happened again, like it had before in times past. My stubbornness makes me question him often and I know my obedience is often lacking, but last night I chose to be diligent. In the middle of a late night session I intensely heard HEBREWS 11, and so I said “Okay, Lord… I’ll read it later.” So I feel it urged again, and decide to pull up my phone and the Bible app and dive on in and my mind was blown.
The past few weeks of ministry I was lacking in my faith in the Lord, and not feeling his presence as closely as I was. I was struggling to hear from Him and avoided conversations with Him because I did not even know what to say recently. So I open Hebrews and find the 11 and the first line in the book is “ Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.” Okay, WOW. It goes on to say later in verse 6 “ and without faith it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to him must believe he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.’’ GOD I HEAR YOU. It’s reassurance from him that my seeking him is the right answer. The world race exemplifies similar things that Abraham experienced as he listened to the Lord when looking for the promised land that he was called to that would later be his inheritance. Verses 9-10, ‘’ By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Issac and Jacob who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” This is the life I am currently experiencing. Literally tenting in foreign lands as a stranger, working for the best architect that can build up communities, churches, and people. Through us he gives the blue print and we take that and hopefully build something big (or small) in the communities that we will be living in this year.
As I continued on the Lord continued to show me stories of Abel, Abraham, Moses, Jacob, Joseph, and so on. I felt so encouraged and loved in that moment that I was missing the big picture all along. I did not have a lack of faith in the Lord, I had a lack of faith in my self that all the amazing things we were able to do last month were the prime examples of what faith looked like. Waking up in the morning, acknowledging that the day is the Lord’s for the taking, and doing ministry is faith enough. My faith was there the whole time and my story would fit right along in Hebrews 11 next to Abraham and his walk to sacrifice Isaac or Moses being hidden by his parents because they were fearful of the King. Just seeking Him and allowing His plan to amalgamate before us is enough faith. So, while some days my faith may not feel strong I need to say reminded that I am continually walking in it just by going and doing and seeing.
I want to close with a few verses from Isaiah 54: 2-3, that I feel is my challenge from God walking forward into my second month of the race.
‘Enlarge the place of your tent,
stretch your tent curtains wide,
do not hold back;
lengthen your chords,
strengthen your steaks.
For you will spread our to the right and to the left;
your descendants will dispossess nations
and settle into their desolate cities.’
It’s my call to push myself farther this month, walk even further in faith and call out to my Papa. Give him my troubles, seek his Kingdom, and give all the glory to him for the joy that he brings not only in the remaining ten months but for the rest of my life to follow.
Stay Blessed!
